Advanced Wi-Fi Systems Can Help Reduce Customer Churn, Says Analyst

Broadband service providers need to invest in advanced home Wi-Fi systems, such as Wi-Fi mesh networks, or run the risk of customer churn, said an ABI Research report Wednesday. It forecasts more than 831 million households will have residential Wi-Fi networks in 2021. Mesh network systems improve Wi-Fi coverage by relying on multiple access points in the home, said analyst Khin Sandi Lynn, but their cost could price some residential broadband users out of the market. A Wi-Fi mesh system with three access points ranges from $300 to $500, said Lynn. U.S. cable operator Midco provides AirTies’ mesh network to its residential broadband customers starting at $7.95 per month and $2 for additional access points, she said. Network management systems, such as ServAssure by Arris and the cloud-based performance monitoring system Remote View by AirTies can also help service providers improve the Wi-Fi experience, said Lynn. The systems allow service providers to perform access point installation, network analysis, and troubleshooting remotely, cutting costs for providers and waiting time for consumers, she said.